Iraqi Context Research Articles

Shādhil Ṭāqah’s Elegy for Badr Shākir al-Sayyāb

Abstract Iraqi poet and statesman Shādhil Ṭāqah (d. 1974) published an elegy in a 1965 issue of the Beirut journal al-Ādāb for fellow poet Badr Shākir al-Sayyāb (d. 1964) titled “Intiṣār Ayyūb” (Job’s Victory). This article attends to how the elegy’s content reflects the poet’s relationship with Sayyāb as well as how it pays homage to Sayyāb’s novel approach to Arabic prosody. Outside of one book-length study of Ṭāqah’s poetry by Bushrā al-Bustānī (2010) and the comments found at the end of Ṭāqah’s collected works edited by Saʿd al-Bazzāz (1977), his poetry has remained relatively unaddressed even in Arabic scholarship. The study thus introduces a key poem from this important but mostly forgotten poet to Anglophone readers while also situating Ṭāqah as a member in the coterie of modernists who became active during and following their time at the Baghdad Teachers College in the late 1940s, a group that included Ṭāqah, Sayyāb, Nāzik al-Malāʾikah (d. 2007), ʿAbd al-Wahhāb al-Bayātī (d. 1999), and others. Overall, the article establishes Ṭāqah’s work within its Iraqi context as well as within the broader Arabic literary milieu of the 1960s in the Mashriq, situating Ṭāqah as an important contributor to the development of modernist Arabic poetry.

Quality of Life in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study in Baaquba City

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common degenerative joint disease that significantly impacts the quality of life (QoL) of elderly individuals, often leading to severe disability. Specific Background: KOA, a prevalent condition primarily affecting middle-aged women, is exacerbated by risk factors like obesity, genetics, and reduced physical activity. Knowledge Gap: Despite existing studies on KOA, there is limited research on its impact on QoL in the Iraqi context, particularly in Baqubah City. Aims: The study evaluated the quality of life (QoL) of KOA patients in Baqubah, Iraq, considering physical, psychological, social, and functional aspects, and identifying influencing factors. Results: Data were collected from 374 patients at Baqubah Teaching Hospital, using a structured and validated HRQOL questionnaire. The study revealed that KOA patients experienced a significantly reduced QoL, especially in the physical and functional domains. Females and those with a longer illness duration reported worse outcomes. Obesity and overweight were found to be common among patients, further exacerbating the disease. Novelty: This study evaluates KOA's impact on QoL in Baqubah, revealing high prevalence and significant negative effects on daily activities. Implications: The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to enhance the quality of life for KOA patients in Baqubah, focusing on weight management, physiotherapy, and improved public health strategies. Highlights: KOA severely impairs physical and functional quality of life in patients. Obesity and inactivity are key modifiable risk factors for KOA. Women and long-term sufferers face greater QoL challenges. Keywords: Knee Osteoarthritis, Quality of Life, Risk Factors, Obesity, Baqubah

Investigating Iraqi EFL Learners’ Social Intelligence and Their Performance in Speaking: A Correlational Study

The ultimate goal of learning a language is to use it when interacting with others regardless of the mode of communication. This use of the language, however, is socially and psychologically affected. In this regard, social intelligence plays a crucial role in creating effective interactions. The problem is that the correlation between social intelligence and speaking skill has received little attention in the field of linguistics concerning the Iraqi context. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the correlation between these variables to better understand how they correlate to each other. It asks to what extent there is a correlation between them and whether some personal variables affect this correlation. To this end, the alternative hypothesis is adopted which claims that there is a statistically significant positive correlation among the variables. For this purpose, the correlation design that draws on the quantitative approach is adopted. Moreover, a sample of 77 EFL third-year students from the University of Mosul for the academic year 2023-2024 was randomly selected. They were males and females coming from ethnic backgrounds, namely, Arabs, Kurds, and Turkmen. To collect data, two research instruments were used they were: an adopted and adapted social intelligence scale and a speaking test designed by the researcher. The data were statistically treated by a statistician using SPSS. The results of the study show that there is a positive moderate correlation between social intelligence and speaking skill. It is also concluded that personal variables such as gender and ethnicity have no significant influence on the correlation between the variables. Finally, some recommendations were presented based on the conclusions inferred.

Insights into determinants of health-seeking behavior: a cross-sectional investigation in the Iraqi context.

Health-seeking behavior (HSB) is a choice taken by an individual to maintain, achieve, or restore good health and prevent diseases. The purpose of this study is to examine the determinants of HSB among the Iraqi population. This cross-sectional study in the Rusafa and Karkh districts of Baghdad investigated determinants of HSB from 2022 to 2023. With a sample size of 993 participants meeting inclusion criteria, data were collected through a self-reported questionnaire, utilizing four indicators to measure HSB. The study employed various statistical methods especially logistic regression models, facilitated by Stata 17 software. Results highlights that married individuals consistently have higher odds of having HSB compared to their single counterparts, with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.09 (95% confidence interval: 1.41-3.10). This relationship remains robust even after controlling for other variables. Furthermore, individuals with higher social class exhibit stronger connections to HSB, although the OR is 1.69 (95% CI: 0.47-6.13), indicating a wide confidence interval. Regarding underlying diseases and their duration, the results indicate that chronic diseases are associated with a higher likelihood of HSB, with an OR of 2.05 (95% CI: 1.35-3.11). Additionally, a longer duration of diseases in terms of years is also linked to a stronger association with HSB, with an OR of 2.86 (95% CI: 1.32-6.23). In conclusion, this work provides important insights into HSB. Married people are continuously more likely to engage in HSB than single people, highlighting the importance of customized interventions. Furthermore, persons from higher social classes have stronger ties to HSB, highlighting the importance of socioeconomic considerations. The link between HSB and chronic diseases, combined with longer disease durations, emphasizes the importance of early detection and thorough healthcare management. These findings give critical guidance for healthcare providers, marketers, and politicians developing effective initiatives to promote HSB.

Analyzing the Impact of Economic Performance on the Interplay between Financial Management Strategies and Profitability in the Iraqi Context

Purpose - This study examines how economic performance affects financial management approaches and profitability in Iraq's construction business. This research examines how financial management strategies affect profitability and economic success. Design/Methodology/Approach—Construction project and site managers in Iraq were surveyed online for the study. Given the scope and magnitude of the research, this study's 85.3% response rate is impressive. In-depth statistical analysis was performed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), which examined economic performance, financial management, and profitability. Findings - The instance indicates that the lack of organization-wide integrated systems, common across enterprises, contributes to this problem. The major issue is that the organization's information systems strategy never expressly prioritizes KM-enabling schemes. Practical Implications—The study's conclusions have major practical ramifications. Iraqi enterprises should prioritize resource optimization, cost control, and strategic financial planning to improve economic performance. In addition, governments should promote building projects through incentives, subsidies, and tax policies that boost economic productivity and profitability. These policies are available here. Originality/Value—This study adds to the literature by stressing economic performance as a mediator between financial management methods and profitability in Iraq's construction sector. It examines the dynamics of this link in Iraq's building sector. With the new data, firms may improve financial performance by making informed judgments and using efficient financial management procedures.

Unveiling the Challenges and Processes of Implementing Program and Performance Budget for Government Universities in Iraq

This study aims to identify the challenges facing the implementation process and necessary processes for the successful implementation of Program and Performance Budget (PPB) in Iraqi universities. Employing a qualitative approach, data was gathered through in-depth, semi-structured focus group discussions involving top management and financial department representatives from the University of Baghdad, the University of Al-Qadisiyah, and the University of Muthanna, totaling 30 participants. Utilizing Nvivo software, the data was analyzed to generate a word cloud, where larger-sized words indicated greater repetitions and higher impact rates. Thematic analysis techniques were subsequently applied for a more detailed understanding. The findings underscore numerous challenges in PBB implementation, including issues related to management competence, organizational commitment, financial constraints, and the unique features of PPB. Key thematic areas for necessary processes are the measurement system and the approach to implementation. The contribution of the theoretical study is to supplement previous literature that is concerned with trying to find an alternative to the traditional method of preparing the budget. The current study showed the challenges associated with implementing the PPB in the Iraqi context and the necessary procedures for that. The study focuses on Iraqi government universities. This empirical evidence contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and processes associated with PBB implementation, serving as a valuable guide for university management.

A Comparative Analysis of Self-Efficacy among Kabaddi and Handball Players in the Iraqi Context

A Comparative Analysis of Self-Efficacy among Kabaddi and Handball Players in the Iraqi Context

Analyzing the Influence of Dividends on Share Prices in the Iraqi Stock Market from (2010 - 2020)

This study examines the relationship between dividend policies and stock prices among companies listed on the Iraq Stock Exchange from 2010 to 2020. This study utilizes a descriptive analytical approach, drawing on data from annual financial statements and disclosures published by the Iraq Stock Exchange. This study employs a simple linear regression model to analyze the impact of dividends per share and retained earnings per share on the market share price. The findings indicate a negative, statistically insignificant relationship between cash dividends and share prices, whereas retained earnings show a direct positive and significant correlation with stock valuations. Prior research in the Iraqi context has identified cash liquidity as the main determinant of dividend payout decisions, with shareholders favoring regular distributions, regardless of ownership. Studies also find a positive link between profit retention, investment opportunities, and dividends. However, broader challenges facing emerging stock exchanges, such as underperformance, speculation, and a lack of investor knowledge, can negatively impact market performance. This study provides a comprehensive, long-term analysis of dividend payout-stock price dynamics in the Iraqi market, offering valuable insights into how this relationship manifests in an emerging economy setting. The results contribute to the theoretical understanding of the factors driving stock valuation, and have practical implications for investment strategies and corporate dividend policies in Iraq and similar markets. Key recommendations include advertising campaigns to encourage savings, providing investment advisory services, and improving financial disclosure to build investor confidence.

Analysis of the primary responsibilities of team leaders in extreme Iraqi Context

Analysis of the primary responsibilities of team leaders in extreme Iraqi Context

L’enseignement du vocabulaire en classe de FLF

Vocabulary when learning a new foreign language is often taught in class, but this poses problems for learners of all levels. Teachers use different methods but end up at the end of the lesson with a list(s) of words to learn by heart. This study aims to teach vocabulary in the classroom for learners of the French language and to reveal the means and strategies for all learners at all levels. In the beginning, we will present a theoretical part related to knowing words, using words, fixed expressions, playing words, ... etc. to interpret vocabulary and their meanings. Next, we calibrate some techniques and models that aid in the acquisition of new words, enhancing the dynamics of vocabulary learning from activities in textbooks and others created by the teacher and the learners. What remains very important are the steps to take, knowing how and why. Our aim is to study effective strategies for teaching French as a foreign language in the classroom in the Iraqi context. So that learners of all levels can deal with the foreign language and use a rich vocabulary in correct, meaningful sentences. Creating and building, and playing with language, is certainly fun in itself and we can go further than that by knowing how we manage it in the lesson.

Time Waster in Nursing Career Field Study in Medical Baghdad City

In the various periods of human life time have a high value and it plays a definitive role to accomplish goals, duties and wishes either individual or organization. Time in the sector of healthcare hand chance for physicians and nurses to help and remedy patients beside it conduces to build a sound healthy system. Thus, time waster becomes as worst losses because it related to human life. The purpose of this research is to restrict the nurses’ actions which it prompts to lost time from a workday as well as to estimate the amount of time spent in each act. Data were collected from three groups of nurses sample worked in the morning and evening shifts in Medical Baghdad City by survey questionnaire that involved (47) items. The outcomes of accumulated data from the samples were underline three groups of acts have varying influence lead in lost time during a workday of nurses in the Iraqi context. In addition, the finding resulted that the amount of time lost is nearby to other lands, such as Iran, Australia, United State and   South America. At last the present study confirms that there is no an universal tool suitable to determine all deeds cause to deprive time and measure the amount of time lost whereof incite us to create and construct a local convenient instrument almost fit with domestic environment and culture.

The role of market capitalization on economic growth in Iraq: for the period of (2005-2022)

This study investigates the relationship between market capitalization (LMCAP) and economic growth, measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), within the context of Iraq from 2005 to 2022. The analysis employs unit root tests, cointegration tests, and regression analysis to explore the dynamics between these variables. The findings reveal a statistically significant positive effect of market capitalization on economic growth, highlighting the crucial role of a vibrant financial market in driving economic expansion. The presence of a long-term relationship between market capitalization and GDP underscores the sustained impact of financial market development on economic growth in Iraq. These findings have important implications for policymakers in Iraq, emphasizing the significance of promoting a strong and dynamic financial market to stimulate economic growth. Further research exploring additional variables and causal mechanisms would enhance the understanding of the dynamics between market capitalization and economic growth within the Iraqi context.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids as Supplements and Cryoprotectants and Positive Outcomes for Human Seminal Cryopreservation: A Study in the Iraqi Context

Background: With the increasing deterioration in male fertility rates over the past few decades, assisted reproductive therapy via sperm banking has gained considerable attention from different health authorities worldwide. The process of sperm cryopreservation exerts certain harmful effects on sperm quality parameters. The aim of the current study was to examine the effect of omega-3 on human sperm cryopreservation as a dietary supplement and as a cryoprotectant stimulant.
 Methods: From healthy men, 120 seminal fluid samples were randomly collected for cryopreservation (for 30 days). All samples were divided into three groups (40 in each). The supplement group (SG) (first group) had been given dietary supplements of omega-3 (30% EPA: 20% DHA) for eight weeks before sample collection. The samples of the cryoprotectant group (CG) (second group) were treated with omega-3 additive in the diluent at the time of being collected and before we cryopreserved them. The samples from the control group (third group) were cryopreserved without any dietary or cryoprotectant supplementation. Initial seminal analysis was recorded and post-thawing assessment of sperm motility, vitality (using eosin test) and oxidative stress (using a nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) test) were compared.
 Results and Conclusion: SG samples had greater initial seminal fluid volumes, as well as better sperm motility and vitality, but the oxidative stress assessment did not differ significantly pre-cryo. Post-thawing assessment revealed that the CG group had the best parameters of motility, vitality and oxidative stress. These results may be related to the positive effects of omega-3 fatty acids on reproductive glands, hormonal milieu, sperm function and structure, making it a suitable biostimulant for improving the outcome of human sperm banking. Results were comparable to multiple previous animal studies.

“Freedom is a treasure that only those who lose it can know”: a spatiotemporal exploration of 22 Iraqi women’s interlegalities

In this article, we discuss the spatiotemporal interlegalities of 22 women living in Iraq, understood as an emerging legal landscape characterised by legal and normative entanglements rather than parallel systems of laws and morals. Iraqi women are situated at the intersections of the coexisting legal spaces and stratifications of various scales and multiple normative orders that have been deeply embedded in Iraqi religious and tribal traditions throughout time. It is at these intersections that experiences of non-freedom and struggles for freedom are intimately felt and possible contradictions among the multiple legal spaces and normative orders encountered. Herein, we assess women’s opportunities to negotiate the boundaries of their spaces, their abilities to govern those spaces, and the constraints they encounter on their routes to freedom. We used a map metaphor to elucidate the women’s processes for finding their way. Women’s freedom in the Iraqi context is complex, indicative of multi-layered processes of negotiation within the legally pluralistic landscape. The concept of interlegalities is a useful tool for conceptualising the multifaceted interconnections in the legal landscape of Iraqi women. The Middle East legal geography has not been widely examined, but the special characteristics of the Iraqi context regarding the interplay among legal spaces and normative orders are essential for contributing to legal geography discussions, as some theoretical premises are unsuitable for application to contexts with pluralist legal systems that lack democratic traditions.

E-Learning and its Influence on Enhancing the University Performance During the Outbreak of the Corona Pandemic

Purpose: This paper aims to determine the influence of e-learning and its dimensions on university performance, taking the University of Basra’s various faculties as a field study. Theoretical Framework: The study’s hypotheses are divided into one central hypothesis and four sub-hypotheses constructed and grounded on the dimensions of e-learning. Infrastructure, technical support, management, organization, and content were taken as dimensions of the independent variable, and University Performance as the dependent variable. Design/Methodology/Approach: This paper uses a quantitative method with a deductive approach. One hundred sixty participants responded to a structured questionnaire as part of the study’s descriptive analytical procedure. Data were analyzed using the SPSS program. Statistical analyses were applied to test the research hypotheses and meet the study’s goals. Findings: Results revealed a positive association linking the application of e-learning dimensions. Universities are motivated to apply e-learning strategies due to their positive influence on leveraging university performance. Infrastructure, technical support, management and organization, and content positively influence university performance. Research, Practical and Social Implications: This paper highlights the features and dimensions influencing university performance significantly in the Iraqi context. Hence, executives of public and private universities will be able to determine the actions to be adopted to advance and progress the implementation of e-learning and performance. Originality/Value: The paper’s originality stems from the significance and recency of the addressed topic. This paper is the first empirical research presenting a diagnosis of e-learning dimensions and university performance at Basra University during the outbreak of the corona pandemic. It is an original paper conducted in the Iraqi context.

Poverty at a distance: Supply and demand side factors and the formation of civil society organizations in Iraq

AbstractThis paper contributes empirically to the international debate on the drivers for the formation of civil society organizations (CSOs) by testing three separate hypotheses: demand, supply and integration. To investigate this question, we analyse the CSO sector in Iraq, which transformed since 2003 from being implicitly banned to being a central pillar of poverty alleviation and social service provision with thousands of formally registered organizations. Using OLS regression analysis with district level and official register data, we examine the geographic distribution of CSOs in relation to poverty levels in Iraq. We find no significant confirmation for demand side drivers that social service providing CSOs form in high poverty districts. Instead, we find strong support for CSO formation in governorate administrative centres, which confirms supply‐side drivers of CSO development. However, we do find some support for a higher concentration of human rights‐based CSOs in high poverty areas. The findings raise important policy implications for the UN Sustainable Development Goal of no poverty in an Iraqi context and internationally, but also how to fund CSOs to meet the demands of the primary recipients.

The Effect of it Governance on the Relationship Between Corporate Social Responsibility and Performance in Iraqi Banks

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to understand the greater responsibility placed by various organizations on the social responsibilities of the organizations towards their stakeholders. It also aims to explore the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for daily operations of organizations to fulfill their social responsibilities to society. Theoretical Framework: The study made assumptions based on in-depth review to investigate variables in Iraqi context. One of the comprehensive measurement criteria provided by Liao (2019) covers the three dimensions of effectiveness, efficiency, and consistency. Design/methodology/approach: The statistical population contains all listed companies on the Iraqi Stock Exchange between 2015 and 2021. The hypotheses were tested employing a multivariate regression model. The hypotheses of the study were tested using a sample of 168 observations from listed Iraqi banks from 2015 to 2021 and a multiple regression model based on the panel data technique of the random effects model. Findings: The results showed a positive and statistically significant relationship between social responsibility and bank performance. Also, information technology governance (ITG) moderates this effect. Additional methods (t+1, fixed effects, ordinary least squares) were employed to test the validity of the research models. Research, Practical & Social Implication: As this is the first study to investigate this issue in emerging markets, it provides users, analysts, and legal bodies with valuable information regarding CSR, which substantially impacts banks' performance. Originality/value: The finding suggests several consequences of IT governances and its effects on corporate social responsibility which contributing to the development of knowledge.

Studying the Role of Banking Marketing in Supporting the Competitive Advantage of the Iraqi Banks

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the contribution of banking marketing towards supporting the competitive advantage of banks in the Iraqi context. Theoretical framework: The study aims to investigate the influence of banking marketing activities on achieving the primary banking objective, with a specific focus on profit generation. Additionally, this research seeks to explore the role of marketing in supporting competitive advantage, which can be derived from a variety of factors such as expertise, technology, or resource advantages that allow banks to deliver more value to customers compared to competitors. This competitive edge plays a significant role in enabling banks to expand their reach and attract investment, both locally and internationally. Design/methodology/approach: The study utilized an analytical descriptive approach and was conducted as a field study. The data collection process involved both primary and secondary data sources. The primary data were gathered through a questionnaire designed to capture information on the study variables, while the secondary data were obtained from relevant literature and previous studies. The collected data were then analyzed using statistical software, namely SPSS, to derive meaningful insights and conclusions. Findings: The findings revealed that the dimensions of banking marketing and competitive advantage indicators had a high level of importance. These results suggest that the implementation of effective marketing can play a key role in enhancing the competitive advantage of Iraqi banks, thereby contributing to their overall performance and profitability. Research, Practical & Social implications: The study highlights the significance of banking services and their applicable mechanisms, as well as identifying competitive advantages and effective ways of supporting and consolidating them. In light of the findings, the study provides several recommendations aimed at supporting Iraqi banks in using banking marketing tools to positively impact customer satisfaction. The study's recommendations are intended to facilitate the development of contemporary practices that enhance the efficiency of banking sectors, which in turn supports the competitive advantage of Iraqi banks. Originality/value: This study represents a pioneering effort to bring together banking marketing and supporting competitive advantage as two interrelated fields that play an essential role in effective bank management. Marketing, in general, is customer-centric, and banks are no exception, as their existence is entirely dependent on the presence of customers, who constitute the market. Banking services, in particular, are long-lasting and typically extend to one consumer for a long period.

The Khan Al-Shilan: Appraising and Synthesizing Cultural Heritage Significance and Its Impact on Conservation Practices

The holy city of Najaf has a number of historical buildings, many of which are in danger of permanent deterioration due to muddled conservation practices. Khan Al-Shilan, built in 1899, is a significant historic structure, continuously changing and adaptable to several functions. Possession of the structure was transferred from one party to another, and it has not been well maintained, suffering damage and neglect. The khan existed during the Ottoman era and British colonialism, and it stands today as a physical reminder of the Iraqi people’s struggle against occupying powers. It is also an interesting example of the limitations of conservation in Iraq. Using secondary sources and primary evidence gathered through interviews with stakeholders, local residents, heritage elites, and conservationists, this article examines the current state of Iraqi conservation practices, with a particular focus on the extent to which they have affected the existing historic fabric. It includes a detailed examination of the approaches and the problems that exist in applying international standards of heritage protection to the Iraqi context. The case study demonstrates that there is local motivation for conservation that is accompanied by an awareness of the processes to manage change effectively.

Inoculating against extremist persuasion techniques – Results from a randomised controlled trial in post-conflict areas in Iraq

Extremist organisations often use psychological manipulation techniques to persuade new members to join. Previous research has found that people can be made more aware of such techniques through psychological “inoculation” interventions, which seek to foster resistance against unwanted persuasion attempts. We conducted a field experiment (N = 191) in post-conflict regions of Iraq to assess the effectiveness of a short inoculation game, Radicalise, in improving vulnerable individuals’ resistance against extremist manipulation techniques. In a conceptual replication of Saleh et al. (2021), we translated and adapted the game for the Iraqi context and then conducted a 2x2 mixed (pre-post / treatment-control) randomised controlled experiment among a group of vulnerable youth in areas previously under ISIS control. We included two outcome measures: participants’ ability and confidence in correctly assessing WhatsApp messages making use of extremist manipulation techniques, and the ability to identify the factors that make an individual vulnerable to extremist recruitment. We find that playing the game significantly improved participants’ ability (p = 0.034, d = 0.31) in spotting manipulative messaging while the improvement in participants' confidence fell just above the traditional 0.05 significance level (p = 0.051, d = 0.29). However, unlike in Saleh et al. (2021), we find that playing the game did not impact participants’ ability to identify vulnerable individuals (p = 0.896, d = 0.02). However, we note that our field study may have been underpowered compared to the original study and our results should therefore be interpreted with some caution.